Discover Sherwood Park Strathcona County April 2018 | Page 30

Communities
Hastings Lake
• The original Cree name for the lake, located north
of Hwy 14, is “a-ka-ka-kwa-tikh” which means,
“The Lake does not freeze.” Apparently, springs
that flow into the lake bottom prevent parts of the
lake from icing over the winter. In 1884, the lake
and its outlet were renamed by J.B. Tyrrell for Tom Hastings, a member of Tyrell’s
geological survey party.
• The first settlers at Hastings Lake were Jonas Ward and August Gladue who arrived
sometime during late 1800s. In 1988, Kawtihk Recreational Retreat opened as the
only commercially operated facility on the lake.
• Also located at Hasting Lake privately owned property and community known as the
Legion of Frontiersman. Founded throughout the British Commonwealth in 1904,
Frontiersmen were charged with gathering intelligence for the British War Office.
The Legion of Frontiersmen’s Fort Scott was built as a training camp during the 1930s
at Hastings Lake, and the group is noted for constructing a cenotaph on Highway 14
which has been designated as a municipal historic resource by Strathcona County. A
museum containing artifacts and memorabilia that tell the story of the story of the
Frontiersmen is open to the public on Saturdays during the summer month.
• The Hastings Lake Hall, located south of Hwy 14, is operated by the Hastings
Lake Community Association, with many annual activities through the year such
as pasta nights, steak dinners, travel nights and winter solstice celebrations. Hall
amenities include: campin g (with a permit during a booked function), playground,
basketball and tennis courts, and nature trails. For more information visit: http://
www.hastingslakehall.ca.
• Community Hall, for hall bookings see page 43
• Population 218
Josephburg
• Despite a tiny hamlet population (123), Josephburg
is the hub of an active farming community, first
settled by Austrian immigrants in the 1890s.
• The Josephburg Agricultural Society (JAS) was
established in 1973 and sponsors numerous
agricultural and community events, more
information is available at www.josephburg-ag.ca
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Sherwood Park / Strathcona County